Gilberto Delrio Vives 01/27/2017 Voices of diversity, Richmond Real Women Have Curves Worksheet
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play begins on stage in a tiny sewing factory located in East Los Angeles; it was the first week of September in 1987. Beginning the act, we get introduced to the main characters which are: Estela, Ana, Carmen, Pancha, and Rosali. These ladies are working in a sewing factory which seems to be behind at work, at the same time always on the lookout for the migra.
2. What is the intrusion?
Initially, what sets the play into motion is when Estela reveals that she is undocumented. A series of explanations after discovering Estela’s secret, uncover truths about the current financial struggles these women are facing.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is that its Estela’s birthday during that week.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will these women be able to pull together and resolve their financial issues, while fighting the unbearable working conditions and their boss’s imminent deportation?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One exposition was Estela’s outcome of the date she had with her “admirer.” Estela kept this to herself throughout most of the play. The other exposition was when Carmen explained to the ladies where the scar came from, which led to her explanation of why she had so many children and how she ended up looking the way she did.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most dramatic moment in the play was when all the women began to take their clothes off and began comparing body markings. This event had to bring a lot of attention from the audience and set the stage to send out the message that it intended.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some themes are Socioeconomic struggles, spousal abuse, stereotypes, woman’s rights, and family values, body image, adolescence.
8. What do the principal characters want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of them getting what they want?
Estela intends to run an active business, but her illegal status and financial struggles keep her from getting there easily. Rosali wants to be skinny to look attractive enough to bear children; her self-consciousness and insecurities keep her taking pills that end up hurting her. Pancha would like to have children but is not able to. Ana would like to pursue her goal of going to college in NY but is too poor and needs to wait a year for financial aid. Carmen would like to be a grandmother and have her daughters lose weight and become more attractive; Both her daughters have different opinions on her mindset, which brings struggles and family conflicts.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Every woman in this play, except for Rosali, was described as either “fat” or “plump.” The dresses they worked on were all sizes that they would never fit in. I believe the dresses themselves to be an image of an unreachable goal. To these women, having a little extra gave them something to be proud. The title tells us that real women have more that goes unseen and that the bond that unites them unique.
10. Briefly, define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Both Ana and Estela love their mother, Carmen. Ana is the educated one and tends to rationalize and provoke inspiring moments. Estela must play two roles as she is also her mother’s boss. Carmen is apparently afraid of her husband due to their past.
01/27/2017
Voices of diversity, Richmond
Real Women Have Curves Worksheet
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play begins on stage in a tiny sewing factory located in East Los Angeles; it was the first week of September in 1987. Beginning the act, we get introduced to the main characters which are: Estela, Ana, Carmen, Pancha, and Rosali. These ladies are working in a sewing factory which seems to be behind at work, at the same time always on the lookout for the migra.
2. What is the intrusion?
Initially, what sets the play into motion is when Estela reveals that she is undocumented. A series of explanations after discovering Estela’s secret, uncover truths about the current financial struggles these women are facing.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is that its Estela’s birthday during that week.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will these women be able to pull together and resolve their financial issues, while fighting the unbearable working conditions and their boss’s imminent deportation?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One exposition was Estela’s outcome of the date she had with her “admirer.” Estela kept this to herself throughout most of the play. The other exposition was when Carmen explained to the ladies where the scar came from, which led to her explanation of why she had so many children and how she ended up looking the way she did.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most dramatic moment in the play was when all the women began to take their clothes off and began comparing body markings. This event had to bring a lot of attention from the audience and set the stage to send out the message that it intended.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some themes are Socioeconomic struggles, spousal abuse, stereotypes, woman’s rights, and family values, body image, adolescence.
8. What do the principal characters want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of them getting what they want?
Estela intends to run an active business, but her illegal status and financial struggles keep her from getting there easily. Rosali wants to be skinny to look attractive enough to bear children; her self-consciousness and insecurities keep her taking pills that end up hurting her. Pancha would like to have children but is not able to. Ana would like to pursue her goal of going to college in NY but is too poor and needs to wait a year for financial aid. Carmen would like to be a grandmother and have her daughters lose weight and become more attractive; Both her daughters have different opinions on her mindset, which brings struggles and family conflicts.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Every woman in this play, except for Rosali, was described as either “fat” or “plump.” The dresses they worked on were all sizes that they would never fit in. I believe the dresses themselves to be an image of an unreachable goal. To these women, having a little extra gave them something to be proud. The title tells us that real women have more that goes unseen and that the bond that unites them unique.
10. Briefly, define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Both Ana and Estela love their mother, Carmen. Ana is the educated one and tends to rationalize and provoke inspiring moments. Estela must play two roles as she is also her mother’s boss. Carmen is apparently afraid of her husband due to their past.